Identifying events

• US 8,356,005 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2010
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Reimer
• Original Assignee: John Reimer
• Inventors: Reimer, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivas, Omar Fernandez
• Assistant Examiner(s): SITIRICHE, LUIS A
• Application Number:
  US12/803,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20110047174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 706/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/433 using audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/487 using geographical or spatial information, e.g. location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/489 using time information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/08 Learning methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/185 by embedding added-value information into content, e.g. geo-tagging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/912 Applications of a database
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/913 Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/918 Location
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

Events may be identified by storing information in response to activating an event stamp function. As a result of activating the event function, the information collected may immediately be compared to event information in a database. Alternatively, the information collected may later be compared to event information in a database. One or more candidates for the event of interest may be automatically or manually retrieved, and the user may decide whether a candidate event of the one or more candidates correspond to the event of interest. Alternatively, a purchase of an item related to the event may be automatically made in response to activating the event stamp.

Claims

1. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event search information at a machine including at least a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a server, the machine being capable of identifying at least two different types of events, the sever being capable of receiving data from a wireless network, the event search information being in a format associated with an event stamp function that collects event stamp information including at least multiple event pieces of information for indentifying an event;

the event stamp information includes at least global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event;

the receiving resulting from a communicative coupling, via a communications link, to a network;

as a result of receiving the event search information, automatically launching a search on the server associated with the event identifying information of the event stamp function;

returning, by the processor system implementing one or more machine instructions stored in the memory, to a network appliance, search results including event information associated with the receiving; and

sending, by the processor system, a message requesting a crediting of a sponsor of the event with a monetary compensation based at least in part on the event identifying information.

2. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, wherein

the event search information includes at least a radio station identifier;

the event information is associated with a sound segment; and

the sponsor is the radio station that played the sound segment and that is associated with the radio station identifier.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the time associated with the event being a time at which an event occurred.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the multiple event identifying pieces of information include at least a date associated with the event.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein contents included in the multiple event identifying pieces of information are determined at least in part by a standard agreed upon by multiple independent organizations.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the standard includes a minimal set of identifying pieces of information, an order in which the identifying pieces of information are stored in an event stamp, and a location within a file or group of messages where the event stamp is stored.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes a database that stores information naming and identifying events.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the database that stores information about a product or service associated with the event.

9. The system of claim 7, the database includes a correlation of restaurants and locations.

10. The system of claim 7, the database includes a correlation of restaurants and menus.

11. The system of claim 7, the database includes a correlation of commercial establishments and special offers.

12. The system of claim 11, the commercial establishments being restaurants.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the multiple pieces of event identifying information includes at least information associated with a song being broadcasted.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the multiple pieces of event identifying information includes at least information associated with a vehicle of transportation passing a certain location, and the event is the vehicle of transportation passing the certain location.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tuner included within the network appliance communicatively coupled to a button that activates the event stamp function, wherein information about a broadcast source is determined based on the tuner.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the network appliance is a keychain including at least the event stamp function, which is associated with a button, that is capable of recording event identifying information that includes at least a date, and a radio station identifier;

the keychain further including at least circuitry capable of locating a radio station, based on sounds being emitted from a listening device, associated with activating the event stamp function.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the network appliance further includes at least

a tuner for tuning to a broadcast source of interest,

an output, including at least a speaker and a display, for outputting the broadcast for observation by a user,

a button, which when pressed activated the event stamp function;

the button on the network appliance includes at least a cylindrical component that rotates, wherein rotating the cylindrical component cause a scrolling through information displayed via the display,

the network appliance is one of one or more network appliances, and the system further comprises;

one or more broadcast sources for producing a broadcast;

a network;

a website host communicatively coupled with the network, wherein the website host is configured for displaying a website via which a user may identify an event of interest and purchase a product associated with the event;

a database storing event information, the database communicatively coupled with the website host via which the website host and the database communicate regarding event information therein facilitating displaying the event information on the website; and

a vendor website host communicatively coupled to the network via which the product is purchased based on interactions between the user and the website.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the one or more network appliances is a mobile phone.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the database and the website host communicate via the network.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the database includes at least one or more machine readable media that store at least

one or more playlists of radio stations,

one or more locations of the radio stations,

one or more identifiers of the radio stations, and

one or more broadcast frequencies of radio stations,

wherein the one or more playlists, one or more locations, one or more identifiers, and one or more broadcast frequencies are correlated with one another.

21. The system of claim 17, at least one of the types of event is not a broadcast.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a button on the network appliance, which when pressed initialized the event stamp function;

the collection of multiple identifying pieces of information also includes information identifying a store, upon which the search results are based and for which the search is conducted.

23. The system of claim 1, the system implementing a method comprising the network appliance receiving a promotional offer from the store.

24. The system of claim 23, the store being a restaurant.

25. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, the search being a search for a location.

26. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, the search being a search for a mode of transportation.

27. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, the search being a search for an advertisement.

28. A system comprising:

a network appliance for returning search results;

the network appliance including at least

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple identifying pieces of information, upon which the search results are based, the event stamp information includes at least global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

wherein the network appliance automatically launches a search associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

wherein the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, and

wherein the multiple pieces of identifying information includes at least information associated with an advertisement being displayed;

a memory that at least temporarily stores the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to send a message to a server to requesting the server to perform a search associated with activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information;

the network appliance running one or more machine instructions causing a method to be implemented, the method including at least receiving a link for purchasing a product associated with the advertisement.

29. The system of claim 28, the advertisement being displayed does not originate from a broadcast.

30. The system of claim 28, the advertisement being a bill board.

31. The system of claim 28, the advertisement being attached to a stationary object.

32. The system of claim 28, the advertisement being attached to a moving vehicle.

33. A system comprising:

a network appliance for returning search results;

a button on the network appliance, which when pressed activates an event stamp function that initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of event stamp information, upon which the search results are based, the network appliance automatically sends a message to a server causing a launching of a search associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

wherein the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of event, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global position coordinates identifying a location associated with the event, the system further comprising one or more buttons communicatively coupled to the network appliance that affect a mode of operation associated with an event stamp;

and the network appliance includes at least;

a memory at least temporarily storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to send a message to a server to initialize a search associated with activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

34. The system of claim 33, the event stamp is a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information;

the button which when pressed initializes the collection is an event stamp button;

the affect on the mode of operation includes at least to change from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation associated with the event stamp button;

the first mode of operation collects information about a first type of event and the second mode of operation collects information about a second type of event.

35. The system of claim 34, at least one of the first type of event and the second type of event is not a broadcast.

36. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event search information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least, a network appliance, the event search information being information for searching for an event, the machine being capable of identifying at least two different types of events;

the receiving of the event search information including

initializing at least an event stamp function resident on the machine, which initializes a collection of multiple pieces of information, the multiple pieces of information of the event stamp including at least a time associated with an event;

as a result of the collection of the multiple pieces of information, receiving global positioning system coordinates, via a receiver, the global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with where the initializing took place;

at least temporarily storing the multiple pieces of information collected as a result of initializing the event stamp function;

in association with the receiving of the event search information, the network appliance automatically sending a message to a server, the message including a request for launching a search on the server, the search being associated with the event stamp function that was initialized;

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information to the server; and

in association with the receiving of the event search information,

returning, by the processor system implementing one or more machine instructions stored in the memory, search results resulting from the request for launching the search, the search results including at least

event information about a first event corresponding to the event search information.

37. The machine-implemented method of claim 36, wherein the event search information includes at least a first time associated with the event;

the event information about the event corresponding to the event search information includes information about a first event associated with the first time; and

the one or more other events include at least a second event that is juxtaposed, on an event list being searched, to the first event.

38. A system comprising:

a network appliance for returning search results;

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based, the event stamp information includes at least global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

wherein the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, and the network appliance includes at least;

a memory at least temporarily storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions stored in the memory, when implemented, causing a processor of the network appliance to automatically send a message to a server requesting a launching of a search associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

39. The system of claim 38, the memory storing one or more machine instructions for generating an icon, the event stamp function being activated via the icon.

40. The system of claim 38, the memory storing one or more machine instructions for generating a menu item that is selected using cursor control buttons, the event stamp function being activated selecting the menu item with a cursor control button.

41. A method comprising:

automatically generating, by a processor system of a network appliance having one or more processors, event stamp information associated with an event stamp function of the network appliance, the event stamp information including location information for identifying an event;

at least temporarily storing the event stamp information in a memory system of the network appliance;

sending, by the processor system, event stamp information from the network appliance, through a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance to a network for coupling with a server;

in response to the sending, receiving at the network appliance from the server results of a search based on the event stamp information;

wherein the event stamp information includes at least location information identifying a location associated with the event; and

ordering, by the network appliance, a product or a service based on results of the search.

42. The method of claim 41, the product or service being a ride on a taxi.

43. The method of claim 41, the product or service being a ticket for a mode of transportation.

44. The method of claim 41, the product or service being a ticket for a mode of entertainment.

45. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least, a network appliance; and

in association with the receiving of the event identifying information,

returning, by the processor system implementing one or more machine instructions stored in the memory, event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and

returning, by the machine, event information about one or more other events having at least some event identifying information that does not match at least some of the event identifying information that was received;

the returning of the event information about the event and about the one or more other events including at least returning search results, via the network appliance;

the receiving of the event identifying information including initializing at least an event stamp function resident on the machine, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based,

the returning of the search results being in response to the network appliance automatically sending a message to a server that launches a search on the server, the search being associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

wherein the machine is capable of identifying at least two different types of events;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event;

the method also includes

at least temporarily storing in a memory of the machine the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function; and

receiving global positioning system coordinates, via a receiver; and

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information to the server.

46. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least, a network appliance;

in association with the receiving of the event identifying information,

returning, via the processor system implementing one or more machine instructions stored in the memory, event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and

returning, via the machine, event information about one or more other events having at least some of the event identifying information, wherein the event identifying includes at least a first time associated with the event;

the event information about the event corresponding to the event identifying information includes information about a first event associated with the first time; and

the one or more other events include at least a second event that is juxtaposed in time to the first event, and an entity running the first event is the entity running the second event;

the returning of the event information about the event and about the one or more other events including at least returning search results, via the network appliance of the machine;

the receiving of the event identifying information including at least an event stamp function resident on the machine initializing a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based,

the returning of the search results being in response to the network appliance automatically sending a message to a server that launches a search on the server associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

wherein the machine is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, the network appliance is capable of receiving data wirelessly, the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

the method also includes at least temporarily storing, in the memory of the machine, the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

receiving, by a receiver of the machine, global positioning system coordinates; and

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information.

47. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a network appliance;

in associations with receiving the event identifying information, returning, by the processor system implementing one or more machine instructions stored in the memory, event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and returning, by the machine, event information about one or more other events having at least some of the event identifying information that was received, wherein the event identifying information includes at least a first time associated with the event;

the event information about the event corresponding to the event identifying information includes information about a first event associated with the first time; and

the one or more other events include at least a second event that is of a second time that is earlier than the first time, and a third event that is of a third time that is later than the first time,

the second event and the third event being run by the entity that runs the first event;

the returning of the event information about the event and about the one or more other events including at least returning search results, via the network appliance;

the receiving of the event identifying information including at least initializing an event stamp function resident on the machine, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based;

the returning of the search results being in response to the network appliance automatically launching a search associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

wherein the machine is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, the network appliance is capable of receiving data wirelessly;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event, the method also includes at least temporarily storing, in the memory of the machine, the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function; and

receiving, by a receiver of the machine, global positioning system coordinates; and

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information to the server.

48. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including at least a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a server;

returning, by the processor system implementing one or more machine instructions stored in the memory, event information associated with the receiving; and

sending, by the processor system, a message causing a crediting of a sponsor of the event with a monetary compensation based at least in part on the event identifying information;

the returning of the event information including at least retuning search results, via the server, to a network appliance;

the receiving of the event identifying information including at least receiving the event identifying information in a format associated with an event stamp function that collects event stamp information including at least multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based,

as a result of receiving the event identifying information automatically launching a search on the server associated with the event identifying information of the event stamp function;

wherein the machine is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, the sever is capable of receiving data from a wireless network, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event, the method also includes

at least temporarily storing, in the memory of the machine, the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function; and

by a receiver of the machine, global positioning system coordinates; and

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

49. A server system comprising:

a network appliance for returning search results;

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple identifying pieces of information, upon which the search results are based,

wherein the network appliance automatically launches a search associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

wherein the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, and

wherein the multiple pieces of identifying information includes at least information associated with an advertisement being displayed;

the network appliance running one or more machine instructions causing a method to be implemented, the method including at least receiving a link for purchasing a product associated with the advertisement;

and the network appliance includes at least;

the event stamp function, which causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

a memory at least temporarily storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to send a message to a server to initialize a search associated with activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

50. A system comprising;

a network appliance for returning search results;

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based, wherein the network appliance automatically sends a message to a server that causes a launching of a search associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

wherein the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, and the network appliance includes at least;

the event stamp function, which causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

a memory at least temporarily storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instruction for causing a processor to initialize a search associated with activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

51. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least, a network appliance; and

associated with receiving the event identifying information,

returning, by the processor system, event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and

returning, by the machine, event information about one or more other events having at least some event identifying information that does not match at least some of the event identifying information that was received;

the returning of the event information about the event and about the one or more other events including at least returning search results, via the network appliance;

the receiving of the event identifying information including at least an event stamp function resident on the machine initializing a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based,

the returning of the search results being in response to the network appliance automatically sending a message to a server that launches a search on the server, the search being associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

the method also including

determining location information identifying a location associated with the event, via the network appliance;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least the location information identifying the location associated with the event; and

at least temporarily storing in a memory of the machine the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function; and

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information to the server.

52. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing thereon one or more machine instructions, which when implemented cause a processor system to carry out a method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a network appliance; and

in association with receiving the event identifying information,

returning, by the processor system, event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and

returning, by the machine, event information about one or more other events having at least some event identifying information that does not match at least some of the event identifying information that was received;

the returning of the event information about the event and about the one or more other events including at least returning search results, via the network appliance;

the receiving of the event identifying information including at least initializing an event stamp function resident on the machine, which initialized a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based,

the returning of the search results being in response to the network appliance automatically sending a message to a server that launches a search on the server, the search being associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

the method also including

determining location information identifying a location associated with the event, via the network appliance; and

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least the location information identifying the location associated with the event; and

at least temporarily storing in a memory of the machine the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function; and

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information to the server.

53. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including at least a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a server;

returning, by the processor system, event information associated with the receiving; and

sending, by the processor system, a message including an advertisement based on the event identifying information;

the returning of the event information including at least sending search results from the server to a network appliance;

the receiving of the event identifying information including at least receiving the event identifying information in a format associated with an event stamp function that collects event stamp information including at least multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based,

as a result of receiving the event identifying information automatically launching a search on the server associated with the event identifying information of the event stamp function;

wherein the server is capable of receiving data that originated from a wireless network;

the event stamp information includes at least location information identifying a location associated with the event; and

at least temporarily storing, in the memory of the machine, the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function; and

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communication link, of the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

54. A server system comprising:

a processor system having one or more processors;

a communications link for communicatively coupling the server to a network; and

a memory system storing one or more machine instructions for processing messages automatically generated by an event stamp function of a network appliance, the one or more instructions cause the server to carry out a method including at least

receiving, by the processor system, event stamp information from the network appliance, in response to the receiving, automatically launching a search based on the event stamp information;

wherein the event stamp information includes at least location information identifying a location associated with the event; and

sending, by the processor system, results of the search, which include information about the event, and a promotional offer for a store based on the location information.

55. A network appliance comprising:

a processor system having one or more processors;

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance to a network; and

a memory system storing one or more machine instructions for automatically generating messages associated with an event stamp function of the network appliance, the one or more instructions cause the network appliance to carry out the following method

sending, by the processor system, event stamp information from the network appliance to a server,

in response to the sending, receiving from the server results of a search based on the event stamp information and promotional information from a store based on the location information;

wherein the event stamp information includes at least location information identifying a location associated with the event.

56. A new method comprising:

automatically generating, by a processor system of a network appliance having one or more processors, event stamp information associated with an event stamp function of the network appliance, the event stamp information including location information for identifying an event;

at least temporarily storing the event stamp information in a memory system of the network appliance;

sending, by the processor system, event stamp information from the network appliance, through a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance to a network for coupling with a server;

in response to the sending, receiving at the network appliance from the server results of a search based on the event stamp information and promotional information for a store based on the location information;

wherein the event stamp information includes at least location information identifying a location associated with the event.

57. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing thereon one or more machine instructions, which when implemented cause a processor system to carry out a method comprising:

automatically generating, by a processor system of a network appliance having one or more processors, event stamp information associated with an event stamp function of the network appliance, the event stamp information including location information for identifying an event;

at least temporarily storing the event stamp information in a memory system of the network appliance;

sending, by the processor system, event stamp information from the network appliance, through a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance to a network for coupling with a server;

in response to the sending, receiving at the network appliance from the server results of a search based on the event stamp information and promotional information for a store based on the location information;

wherein the event stamp information includes at least location information identifying a location associated with the event.

58. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event search information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a network appliance, the event search information being information for searching for an event, the machine being capable of identifying at least two different types of events and receiving information wirelessly;

the receiving of the event search information including

initializing at least an event stamp function resident on the machine, which initializes a collection of multiple pieces of information, the multiple pieces of information of the event stamp including at least a time associated with an event;

as a result of the collection of the multiple pieces of information, receiving global positioning system coordinates, via a receiver, the global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with where the initializing took place;

at least temporarily storing the multiple pieces of information collected as a result of initializing the event stamp function;

in association with the receiving of the event search information, the network appliance automatically sending a message to a server, the message including a request for launching a search on the server, the search being associated with the event stamp function that was initialized;

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information to the server; and

in association with the receiving of the event search information,

returning, via the processor system implementing one or more machine instructions stored in the memory, search results resulting from the request for launching the search, the search results including at least event information about a first event that is being run by an entity, the first event having a first time, the event information about the first event corresponding to the event search information, and

event information about one or more other events having at least some of the event search information, including at least a second event that is juxtaposed in time to the first event, and that is being run by the entity running the first event.

59. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event search information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a network appliance, the event search information being information for searching for an event, the machine being capable of identifying at least two different types of events and receiving information wirelessly;

the receiving of the event search information including

initializing at least an event stamp function resident on the machine, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based, the multiple pieces of information including at least a time associated with the initializing;

as a result of the collection of the multiple pieces of information, receiving global positioning system coordinates, via a receiver, the global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with where the initializing took place;

at least temporarily storing the multiple pieces of information collected as a result of initializing the event stamp function;

in association with the receiving of the event search information, the network appliance automatically sending a message to a server the message including a request for launching a search on the server, the search being associated with the event stamp function being initialized;

the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information to the server; and

in association with receiving the event search information,

returning, by the processor system of the network appliance implementing one or more machine instructions stored in the memory, search results resulting from the request for launching the search, the search results including at least

event information about a first event corresponding to the event search information and two or more other events,

the event information about the first event associated being associated a first time; and

the one or more other events include at least

a second event that is associated with a second time that is earlier than the first time, and

a third event that is of a third time that is later than the first time, the second event and the third event being run by the entity that runs the first event.

60. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event search information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a network appliance, the receiving of the event search information including at least an event stamp function resident on the machine initializing a collection of event stamp information, which includes multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search is based;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least location information identifying a location associated with the event;

at least temporarily storing in a memory of the machine the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

associated with receiving the event search information,

the network appliance automatically sending a message to a server that requests the server to launch a search on the server, the search being associated with the event stamp function being initialized, the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information to the server;

returning, by the processor system of the network appliance, search results including at least

event information about an event corresponding to the event search information, and

event information about one or more other events having at least some event identifying information that does not match at least some of the event search information that was received.

61. A computer readable medium storing thereon one or more machine instructions, which when implemented cause a processor system to carry out a method comprising:

receiving event search information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a network appliance, the receiving of the event search information including at least an event stamp function resident on the machine initializing a collection of event stamp information, which includes multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search is based;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least location information identifying a location associated with the event;

at least temporarily storing in a memory of the machine the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function; and

in association with receiving the event search information,

the network appliance automatically sending a message to a server that requests the server to launch a search on the server, the search being associated with the event stamp function being initialized, the automatically sending of the message to the server including at least causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance to a network for transferring the event stamp information to the server;

returning, by the processor system, of the network appliance, search results including at least

event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and

event information about one or more other events having at least some event identifying information that does not match at least some of the event identifying information that was received.

62. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including at least a processor system having one or more processors and a memory, the machine being at least, or including at least a server;

the receiving of the event identifying information including at least receiving the event search information in a format associated with an event stamp function that collects event stamp information including at least multiple event identifying pieces of information,

as a result of receiving the event search information automatically launching a search on the server associated with the event search information of the event stamp function;

wherein the sever is capable of receiving data that originated from a wireless network;

the event stamp information includes at least location information identifying a location associated with the event;

returning, from the processor system of the server, to the network search results including at least event information based on the search; and

sending, by the processor system, a message including an advertisement based on the event search information the sending causing a communicative coupling, via a communications link, of the network appliance for transferring the advertisement.

63. A method comprising:

automatically generating, by a processor system of a network appliance having one or more processors, event stamp information associated with an event stamp function of the network appliance, by at least automatically collecting location information associated with a location of the network appliance, the event stamp information including location information;

at least temporarily storing the event stamp information in a memory system of the network appliance;

sending, by the processor system, the event stamp information from the network appliance, through a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance to a network for coupling with a server;

in response to the sending, receiving at the network appliance from the server results of a search based on the event stamp information;

wherein the search results includes at least location information identifying a location associated with an establishment based on the location associated with the network appliance.